The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-11-03
THE VACANT ROOM.
ranishment Melted Out to . Younger Son
Of . Noble Family.
LOUIS NoRrHRor.


dssef rSepyrsossea. rszl
A brilliant London season was draw
ing TO a close when 1 accepted an invita-
don from Sir George Gresham to spend
the month Of August at his seat in Dew
onshire.
My acquaintance with the Gresham
family began in Switzerland two years
before the date Of this story, and was oc-
casioned by my saving the life of Arthur
. Gresham, Sir Georges only and idolized
son, while boating ON Lake Geneva.
I From that hour all their proud English
reserve melted away, and I was received
BY the whole family % one who had
placed them all under an obligation which
could never be repaid. The family con-
sisted Of Sir George and Lady Gresham,
Arthur and his two sisters, Mary and
! Elinor. r.
The fair daughters Of this ancient fam
W were worthy of their long descent
They both possessed that exquisite re.
Z hnement and those high-born graces
which are found in Van Dyck's loveliest
female portraits, representing, as they
do, the transmitted Leauty of dozen
Z generations. Elinor was tall and stately
blonde. She possessed all the repose of
& manner, but none of the hardness of
heart, of the Lady Clara We're de We're.
Mary was very different from her
stately sister in manners and appearance;
small, but faultlessly formed, she was
ful Of Joy, brightness and enthusiasm.
Her face glowed with youth, besuty and
the sweetest human sympathy. Thrown
n the -dsfly and hourly companionship
of thds lovely girl, boating, riding, walk
Ing with her, reading the same books,
singing the same songs, viewing the same
scenery, we soon discovered that we had
: wonderful congenialty Of tastes, feel
ings and sentiments. When we separated
~ the autumn, she to return to England,
and TO resume my artistic studies at |
Rome, . perfect understanding, but no
poettlve engagement, existed between us |
4 ives too poor and proud to bind to my
humble fortunes one whose birth entitled |
her 70 wear and whose beauty would |
have adorned ducal coronet.
After parting in Switzerland, we did
not meet again for two years. In the
meantime an extraordinary change had
taken place In my fortunes. A long
pending claim against the United States
government had been decided favorably,
and l found myself in the possession of
7 handsome competence. Meanwhile l |
had corresponded with Mary Gresham
and IN attachment had ripened into q
charming intimacy. Now ventured to
make q formal demand for her hand.
Ny suit was approved by Sir George;
and was invited to Devonshire to spend
the month Of August.
The sun was just setting as drove
through the beautiful avenues of Gres-
ham Park, and when l stopped before
the entrance to stately, castellsted
Aansion Of the purest style Of the seven.
tssnth century, footman in gray and
scarlet livery opened the door, said I was
expected, and put me in charge of Q
sefvsnt out Of livery, who took my trav-
cling bag and escorted me to my room.
The chamber in which found myself
had . strange and antique appearance.
\ The windows were high and narrow:
shs furniture was Of that heavy, Dutch |
sy's which was brought into England by
William Of Orange, and altogether the
room presented very wild and uninvit.
:. Ing aspect.
The servant informed me that Sir
! George had been Unexpectedly called /
svay from home to attend an important
meeting in the next county, that the Park |
wAs crowded with guests, and in con-
sequence l had been assigned to an |
\ apartment In an old and unoccupied wing |
I q the house.
ils "What part Of the castle d this Z" I In
CURED with natural curiosity.
y very ancient and remote part; It |
Aasnot been occupied within the recol- |
1seelen Of any person now living at the
~. IAis said 70 be haunted !; strange
Mghts are seen here at strange hours."
3What d the dinner houri"
Eight o'clock; II will be rea ~ in half
- hour; the first bell has already rung." |
~ sabis ! was seated between Q wit
4 - beauty. but found the one insipid
49, tne 0theS pink-leced oou, Tor OPP
5pits ne sAs Mary Gresham, whose
Willing. VII was fascinating . young
ZoAlenaat for II IVES q natural
H IN - - charming q It b for
"a y 1ousn % bloom and the birds 70
!, ~ bus ths post truly says, ''There d
~ love 'thout Jealousy"
Aftas dinnsr enjoyed stroll through
~ nooalit park with Mary, ! play
~ vsps9schsd her for trying 70 capt.
- ~ yonne lord q dinner.
Al ~ = w United 6tstes," said, IL
llsppas fron NE In England / am
W - IN soea grow tired Of ous
~ - - tos eA Hnglaad
Y aendes ~ tsus sad ! shall
~ - ~ 4hAn ~ Which h